Olympics: S'pore badminton team ready for competition at Beijing Games

Thursday, 7 August 2008

BEIJING - Singapore's badminton players said they are ready and looking forward to take on the best at the Beijing Olympics.

Practicing hard ahead of their opening matches, the Singapore shuttlers are trying to get used to the Olympic court environment and sharpen their movements.

Singapore's star player Ronald Susilo will face off with an old foe - world number two Lee Chong Wei from Malaysia.

"It'll be a tough match for me because I've played against him a few times. The score was 2-2 but I think he has been improving a lot these recent months, by winning certain tournaments. I will focus on myself, on the process, and not to think of the results so that I can ... relax on the court when playing against him," said Susilo, Team Singapore badminton player.

First-time Olympian Li Yujia will play in two events - the womens' doubles and mixed doubles. And her first opponents will be the Americans.

"We've never played the Americans before. In the Olympics, it's difficult to predict playing standards, so we cannot take the Americans lightly. Hopefully we can play our game, and not put any pressure on ourselves, and don't underestimate our opponents, that's very important," said Li, Team Singapore badminton player.

Li has set a personal goal of a medal placing.

The Singapore badminton squad is relatively young, with only two out of five players with previous Olympic experience. Still the team's spirit is high and they are looking forward to their opening matches.

As for their chances of going far in this competition, they believe there is every possibility of an upset on the world stage.